Design Breakouts That Actually Break Through

 

A free guide to help you create conference sessions, SKOs, and strategy meetings that people remember—and act on.

Breakouts are where your attendees explore, discuss, and internalize the message you most want them to remember. They’re where concepts are made real and tangible. But too often, they turn into just another slide-driven presentation.

We’ve designed breakouts for sales kickoffs, leadership off-sites, and enterprise-wide strategy rollouts—and we’ve seen what works (and what doesn’t). This guide shares the exact principles we use to make sessions that are engaging, purpose-driven, and actually move people.

What’s Inside

  • How to design with empathy—not assumptions

  • How to structure breakout activities for reflection, action, and buy-in

  • What makes a good facilitator (and what to avoid)

  • How to build interactive materials that deepen learning

  • Why timing, setup, and storytelling matter more than your slides


Who It’s For

This guide is for anyone designing high-stakes group experiences:

  • Internal communications & enablement teams

  • Conference or event planners

  • People & Culture leaders

  • L&D pros

  • Strategy & transformation leaders

 

Download the Guide

Get your free copy of Breakout Design Rules of Thumb

 
 

Want Help Building a Breakout That Works?
If you’re planning an SKO, a strategy retreat, or a team event—and you want your breakout sessions to actually change minds, spark action, and drive alignment—we can help.

Book a 30-minute breakout brainstorm with us—no strings attached.
We’ll talk through what you’re planning, what’s at stake, and give you at least one idea to make your session more effective.

Client Love

“The level of interactivity W&H brought to our breakout sessions was unmatched... Every table had something to do, and the resulting buy-in to our strategy is extremely high. I am forever changed by the work they did.”
— Karen Loiterstein, VP Sales Enablement, TierPoint